Anne Arundel County health briefs

The Learn To Live program of the Anne Arundel County Department of Health offers quit-smoking and power-to-quit-smoking kits for the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 15. Kits are available from the Learn To Live Line, 410-222-7979, or from the Spanish language Line, 410-222-4479. Also, quit-smoking classes are offered at the following health providers:

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health provides in-school vision and hearing screenings to students in public schools for children in preschool, kindergarten, first and eighth grade and for students new to Anne Arundel County schools. Students in the following schools will be screened in November.

November is National Diabetes Month. The Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at Baltimore Washington Medical Center will offer a program on how to prepare healthy meals during the holidays. Participants will learn how to make healthy substitutions to favorite holiday meals, manage stress and fit exercise in between cooking and shopping. The program will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the Dr. Constantine Padussis Conference Center, 301 Hospital Drive in Glen Burnie. Information and registration: 410-787-4367.

Weight management

The University of Maryland Center for Weight Management and Wellness will offer a free seminar from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the Dr. Constantine Padussis Conference Center, 301 Hospital Drive in Glen Burnie. Dr. Mark Kligman will discuss the surgical approach to weight loss. Reservations and information: 410-328-8940.

Blood drive

Baltimore Washington Medical Center will host an American Red Cross blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 in the Dr. Constantine Padussis Conference Center, 301 Hospital Drive in Glen Burnie. Questions regarding donor eligibility should be directed to the American Red Cross: 1-866-236-3276. To schedule an appointment, call the BWMC marketing and communications department at 410-787-4367.

Flu immunization

The Department of Health will provide seasonal flu vaccinations at the following walk-in clinics. Both nasal-spray and injectable vaccinations will be available.

The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends flu vaccine for anyone 6 months or older. Information: 410-222-7343 or visit aahealth.org.

Men's health kits

The Learn to Live program of the Department of Health offers free men's health kits with information on prostate health and colorectal cancer screening, as well as the HIM magazine, which includes information on sun safety, smoking, nutrition and other men's health tips. To order a kit, call the Learn to Live Line at 410-222-7979. For information, go to learntolivehealthy.org.

The Learn to Live program of the Department of Health has a new healthful eating kit that features a free cookbook and tips that will help you select foods high in fiber and low in fat and sodium. Recipes are quick, easy and economical. Information: 410-222-7979. To view recipes and to print out free recipe cards, go to learntolivehealthy.org and click on "Recipes Search" under "Food and Fitness."

Health report card

The Department of Health has announced its annual report card of community health indicators. The report highlights progress in lowering death rates from stroke, diabetes and breast cancer. County residents have met nationally set goals for getting screened for cholesterol levels, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Lung cancer and melanoma mortality rates were higher in Anne Arundel County than in Maryland as a whole. Information: 410-222-7202.

Health email alerts

The Department of Health has a community health email alert system to provide timely notices about department services and community health issues. Also, a recreational water-quality email alert system has been in effect since 2006. It alerts subscribers when a closure or advisory is issued for a county waterway. For information about the alert services, call 410-222-4508 or visit ahealth.org/recwateralert.

Lung cancer The group provides ongoing emotional support and information to patients and families coping with a diagnosis of lung cancer. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of every month in the Donner Pavilion, Anne Arundel Medical Center, 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis. Information: contact the DeCesaris Patient and Family support program 1-800-966-2619. Register online at aamcevents.com.

Breastfeeding Mothers will discuss topics determined by the participants and directed by a certified lactation consultant. Bring the baby, grandparents and care providers. The group meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month in the Sajak Pavilion, second floor, 2002 Medical Parkway, Annapolis. Register online at aamcevents.com.

Breast cancer A support group for patients, families and caregivers. The program will be lead by a licensed counselor and a registered nurse. The group will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month at Kent Island, Anne Arundel Diagnostics, lobby, Chester. Information: contact the DeCesaris Patient and Family support program 1-800-966-2619. Register online at aamcevents.com.

Trauma recoveryThe group focuses on empowerment, learning new skills for managing the effects of trauma and building healthy relationships. Anne Arundel Medical Center's in-house Abuse and Domestic Violence Program has professional trained staff. The group meets 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Monday at the Doordan Institute, AAMC Health Sciences Pavilion, seventh floor, Annapolis. Information: 443-481-1209.

The Joslin Circle A diabetes support group discusses issues regarding management of the disease. The group meets 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month in the Joslin Diabetes Center, Suite 223, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Information: 410-787-4940.

Man-to-Man prostate cancer Offers information about diagnosis, treatment and management. The group meets 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month in the Tate Center, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 305 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Information: 410-787-4367 or the American Cancer Society 410-421-4304.

Caregivers Provides information, respite and support to people who give care to family and friends. The group meets 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Heritage Office Complex in the Department of Aging and Disabilities office, fourth floor, 2666 Riva Road, Annapolis.

Joint School A free session on the preparation, recovery and benefits of hip- and knee-replacement surgery will be held at 4 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every other month at Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 300 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie. Information and reservations: 410-553-8282.

Suicide support group For ages 18 and older meets monthly on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Life Center, 445 Defense Highway in Annapolis. Registration is required. Information: 410-987-2129.

'Stepping Stones' A support group for children ages 8-13 who are grieving the loss of a loved one meets from 10 a.m. to noon monthly on Saturdays at the Life Center, 445 Defense Highway in Annapolis. Registration is required. Information: 410-987-2129.

Mental Health A support group for community members and families seeking information about psychiatric issues. The programs discusses depression, anxiety, addiction and bipolar disorder. The group meets from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of every month in Room A of the Partial Hospitalization Program, second floor, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 301 Hospital Drive. Information: 410-553-8070 or 410-787-4627.

Diabetes support group is open to all people with diabetes and their families to better understand living with diabetes will meet from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month in the Center for Diabetes and Endrocrinology at BWMC, 300 Hospital Drive, Suite 223. Information: 410-787-4940.

Screenings

The Department of Health offers vision and hearing screenings for children in pre-school, kindergarten first and eighth grade and for students new to Anne Arundel county schools. For additional information, contact Kim Roussey, vision and hearing technician supervisor, 410-222-6838.

•Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in Anne Arundel County after lung cancer. Screenings and informational kits are available through the Health Department's Learn to Live program. To order a free kit, call the Learn to Live Line, 410-222-7979, or visit learntolivehealthy.org. Also, the Department of Health's LifeScreen program offers free colorectal cancer screening to county residents ages 50 to 64 who are uninsured and income-eligible. Information: 410-222-6640.

•The Administration Care Coordination Unit, which provides services to clients who are enrolled in or may be eligible for medical assistance and HealthChoice to help them gain access to health care. Information: 410-222-7541 or 410-222-4380.

•Baby care kits containing information on having a healthy pregnancy and baby. Information: aahealthybabies.org or call 410-222-7223. Also, free pregnancy and breast-feeding information is featured in the baby-care kits or to take the free online "Taking Care of a Baby" and Home Safety" classes, go to aahealthybabies.org . For information about car seats and a list of inspection locations, call Maryland Kids in Safety Seats: 800-370-7328.

•Behavioral health services for children ages 5 to 18 and their families. For mental health services and referrals: 410-222-6785. For substance-abuse services: 410-222-6725.

•The WIC supplemental nutrition program provides free nutritious foods, education, breast-feeding support and resource referrals to pregnant, breast-feeding and postpartum women and children up to age 5. To qualify, call 410-222-6797 or 410-222-0139 (Spanish).

•The Learn to Live program has more than 675 free recipes low in saturated and trans fats and high in fiber. Many are suited for diabetic, meatless and low-sodium diets. Visit learntolivehealthy.org and click on "Recipes Search" under "Food And Fitness."

•A free booklet, "Don't Let Us Get Hooked on Tobacco," is available to parents who want to dissuade children and teens from smoking. The booklet is sponsored by the Learn to Live program and can be ordered or downloaded online at learntolivehealthy.org. Information: 410-222-7979.

•The Prescription Discount Program is available to all county residents of any age and income. Information: 410-222-4531.

•The Learn to Live Healthy program offers an annual newsletter for child care providers and parents. The newsletter includes healthy eating tips, advice on when to keep ill children home, facts on pertussis (whooping cough), and approaches to prevent temper tantrums. In addition to Building Blocks, Learn to Live offers publications for parents and child care providers that can be ordered from the Learn to Live Line, 410-222-7979, or on the website at learntolivehealthy.org.

The Department of Health offers the following mental health services for children and adults:

•Adolescent and family services, 410-222-6785

•Addictions treatment, 410-222-6725

•Prevention and education services to prevent violent behavior and alcohol and drug abuse in young people, 410-222-6724.

•Mental health and substance abuse treatment is available to veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. Information: 410-222-0117.